77_Cruiser Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Hey, Just looking for any tips on how to address getting this steering box off. It is leaking and needs a full internals overhaul but I cannot do anything with it locked in place. However, I tried a fancy $400 Pitman arm puller and could not even get the thing to fit around because of the unorthodox installation angle of the arm and steer box in the Cruiseliner. I am aware of some generic pullers that you can get on Amazon for instance, but not sure if they are even worth the trouble. My guess is that the arm has been in place since 1977 so I need a serious approach if possible. Otherwise, not sure if I can do a full overhaul on the steering box while it is still attached to the axle. Suggestions are more than very appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyGunner Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 If you can find a puller that will work try heating up the pitman arm before pulling on it. 1 Quote The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by the people who vote for a living.The government can only "give" someone what they first take from another. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424365 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 This is a dumb question but did you try pulling on it with that bolt out? the bolt needs to be removed for it to slide off. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyGunner Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 6 minutes ago, Lmackattack said: This is a dumb question but did you try pulling on it with that bolt out? the bolt needs to be removed for it to slide off. Good catch. Quote The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by the people who vote for a living.The government can only "give" someone what they first take from another. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
77_Cruiser Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Lmackattack said: This is a dumb question but did you try pulling on it with that bolt out? the bolt needs to be removed for it to slide off. Unfortunately, that bolt cannot move out of the slot as is due to length restrictions. But it is not a tight fit. It wobbles in all three rotation directions in there so I think at least this arm can be removed with the bold sitting there. I understand that is probably not usually the case, but hopefully this is the exception. Otherwise, I need to start breaking down the frame and I don't think that was the intended approach from Mack. But, I could be wrong. I guess it is only the shock in the way in that location... Edited June 3, 2019 by 77_Cruiser detail Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424371 Share on other sites More sharing options...
77_Cruiser Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 I see on another post that there may be away with a slack adjuster puller and maybe some butane. The throat is 2.5". I see big and small slack adjusters on Ebay. Any guess which size would be best to try? Also, since it is a clamp style arm with an opening, could a jack hammer work here? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Its been about 10 years but on My Western RS700 I put on a power steering box that looks just like that. I recall the bolt needs to be out all the way to pull it off the shaft. the shaft has a indent all the way around that allows about 1/4 width of the bolt to sit in. that bolt prevents it from falling off if the clamping force weakens.. hope you can follow that... So basically you need to remove the bolt and it should slide right off without much trouble if you can already feel slop in it. try turninging the steering wheel and see if it gives you the needed room to pull the bolt out 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424374 Share on other sites More sharing options...
77_Cruiser Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 It is a very different setup, but worth a try. Will repost regarding the results in a few days. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424375 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Yeah bolts gotta come out. Torch the head off and get a new bolt or just take the shock off. Also, drive a chisel into the split to open it up while you put the puller on it. Heat is your friend here also. And penetrating oil. And a BF hammer. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Or turn the wheel to change orientation of that bolt. But it's gotta come out. Not familiar with the truck setup, but I'd have that wheel off for working room too. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424409 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 4 hours ago, JoeH said: Or turn the wheel to change orientation of that bolt. But it's gotta come out. Not familiar with the truck setup, but I'd have that wheel off for working room too. Same set up on the Superliner I's Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 6 hours ago, 41chevy said: Same set up on the Superliner I's Unfamiliar with that setup too! Lol. Only worked on an R686st, a dm686sx, an rd688s and an rd690s. That's about the extent of my truck knowledge, we have a couple 70's Mack yard trucks with 237's. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 As Trent stated the bolt does have to be removed. The pitman shaft, (sector shaft is proper name) has a concave radius machined into is circumference and the bolt, (capscrew) slides through this radius disallowing removal of the pitman arm with it in place. I have a puller by "Tiger Tool" for that task but it wouldn't do the arm on a Superliner once so I made one using an OTC puller frame and forcing screw, and 1/4" aircraft cables which did work. 1 Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) Yup bolts got to be out cut the head off and put the nut back on the bottom and get it spinning with an impact alternative is you got to take u bolts out any way leave the pitman arm on till it’s on the ground Edited June 4, 2019 by fjh Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
77_Cruiser Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 Finally got the sun-bich off. In the end the big game changer was an OTC 5056 automatic slack adjuster puller from Amazon. It fit just around the gap between the shock and the pitman arm. Used a 440/350 ft-lb plug-in impact gun which was also key to getting the part off. Added some WD-40 Specialist as well but almost got completely screwed as the pitman harm started to slide off at an angle and nearly cross thread. Next thing is to get the part number of the steering box and get a rebuild kit hopefully within the week. I did pull the bolts eventually for other reasons (to fit the puller around the pitman arm), but I suspect you all are right that it would have given trouble eventually. I did have to use a wood splitting wedge to pry open the arm towards the end when the cross threading was getting close. That would have been impossible if the bolt was still in like before. Had to lift the front axle to change the steering angle as mentioned above as the steering box was no longer in a position where I could steer from the steering wheel. Thanks for all the advice. I'm a M-F office worker so every little victory is a big deal. Feel like a 'man' again. haha. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57485-tricky-pitman-arm-location-on-77-cruiseliner-cabover/#findComment-424778 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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